Monday Night RAW | August 18th, 2008
'To name a new World Champion'
As RAW come on the air, the new General Manager and CEO of the WWE, Vincent Kennedy McMahon was already in the ring, with his music still playing in the background. He already had a hold of microphone and was smiling as the crowd were cheering. He licked his lips before bringing the microphone to his mouth..
'To name a new World Champion' he began with, he continues by saying that we need to name the contenders, and to do that..We need to name a match. So, he says, tonight we will have a Triple Threat Tag Team Match, and the winning team members will all be in the World Heavyweight Championship match at Unforgiven. With the crowd cheering to the announcement, he tickles their taste buds even more, by announcing the teams; On one team, John Cena, Dave Batista AND REY MYSTERIO! And on the other team, Edge, John Morrison and Kane! This is too much for the crowd as they're going crazy as to what they've just heard, with the crowd chanting and cheering, Vince McMahon smiles, before handing the microphone back to a worker at ringside and leaving the ring.
--Commercial Break--
Intercontinental Championship; MVP vs. The Miz vs. Elijah Burke
This was getting too much for the crowd, as they're now being treated with an Intercontinental Championship Match! With Santino Marella; The former Intercontinental Champion, being drafted to SmackDown! RAW was without a Intercontinental Champion, so Mr. McMahon made this match before RAW was on the air, Montel Vontavious Porter, The Miz, and Elijah Burke - all newcomers, would square off for a chance to win the prestigious gold. Nobody was a clear winner here, as they had all been around for roughly the same amount of time, and all had the same style of fighting; do anything to win. However, MVP and The Miz may have had a slight advantage over Elijah Burke, as they had been champions before - The Miz being a tag team champion with his still partner, John Morrison and MVP being a US Champion over on Friday Night SmackDown! In the end though, after alot of near falls, it wouldn't be Elijah winning the title, as he was inadvertently knocked out of the ring by The Miz - who used the Intercontinental Championship belt, taking full advantage of the Triple Threat rules, however, MVP would do the same and win the match nailing The Miz with a steel chair before waiting for him to get up before hitting the Drive-By Kick for the three count and the Intercontinental Championship.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Montel Vontavious Porter via Pinfall
We head backstage to see 'The Rated R Superstar' Edge - who has been drafted back to RAW after quite abit of success on Smackdown! Talking to John Morrison, he tells Morrison that tonight the pair of them need to work as a team, and they must win, he says he will be World Heavyweight Champion again, Morrison looks to interrupt, but Edge stops him and tells him to not worry as he will be first in line for a World Heavyweight Championship shot. This brings a smile to Morrison's face, who says he'll work as a team tonight, so he can main event Unforgiven and eventually win the World Heavyweight Championship - just then KANE walks into view and looks at Morrison and Edge and starts laughing crazily, Morrison looks at Edge bewildered as the pair both slime away.
--Commercial Break--
Layla & Katie Lea Burchill vs. Kelly Kelly & Mickie James
Mickie looks ready to cause some pain after losing her WWE Womens Championship last night at Summerslam, to 'The Glamazon' Beth Pheonix. Mickie is in first for her team, as Layla is in for hers. Mickie dominates right off the bat laying in hefty punches on the bitchy brunette, but it isn't long until a cheap shot from Katie Lea Burchill turns the tide of the match into their favor, as Layla tags in Katie Lea and Katie keeps Mickie grounded, with some stiff shots to her head, and pulling her hair and slamming it to the ground. She talks trash to Kelly Kelly - who's on the apron trying to get the crowd going, to get Mickie up. Kelly tries to get into the ring, but the referee stops her, this allows Katie Lea to hold Mickie by the arms, allowing Layla to get some stiff kicks into her midsection. Eventually though, after a reversal from Mickie she is able to tag in her partner, Kelly Kelly, Kelly looks strong coming in as she cleans house. But it's not long until Mickie tries to take on Layla - who is about to cheap shot Kelly, but instead brings her and Layla to the outside. The allows Katie Lea to get a roll-up on Kelly who is distracted by whats going on outside, as Katie Lea uses the ropes in her favor for the win.
Winners: Katie Lea Burchill & Layla via Pinfall
A WWE Promotional video plays, it hypes up RAW's upcoming Pay Per View: UNFORGIVEN. It hypes up the fact that Unforgiven will be RAW exclusive. It gives us the date: 7th September, 2008 at the Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland; Ohio.
--Commercial Break--
We are taking backstage where RAW's backstage interview: Todd Grisham stands alongside the NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: MONTEL VONTAVIOUS PORTER; MVP. Todd firstly congratulates MVP on the Intercontinental Championship win - which MVP thanks him for. Todd is about to continue, to MVP interrupts, telling Todd to go away now, as he isn't needed. MVP says look at this - pointing to the title. He says this is just the first step, he says this is just a stepping stone, because eventually - whether these fans like it or hate it...He will be the World Heavyweight Champion! Looking smug her struts away, with his Intercontinental Championship hanging over his left shoulder.
John Cena is backstage, which immediately makes the crowd cheer, but they go crazy when the camera moves to the right to show REY MYSTERIO and then continues moving to show DAVE BATISTA. John Cena asks Rey Mysterio if he arm is indeed, 100% healed. Rey nods smiling and says "Yeah, it is". Cena says good and tells Rey that tonight the team will need him at 100%, and he'll also need to make sure that, that part of the body isn't targeted, especially by Edge, who caused it in the first place. Rey questions Cena, saying he's been in this business for longer than Cena, and he doesn't need instructions. Batista feeling the friction in the team interupts saying tonight they'll go out there and win and have the best World Heavyweight Championship match in Unforgiven history!
--Commercial Break--
Eddie Colón w/ Carlito vs. D-Lo Brown
Eddie Colón has his WWE Debut up next, as he takes on D-Lo Brown. Eddie Colón has the advantage as he has his brother Carlito Colón or Carlito, in his corner. And that proves beneficial, at alot of moments. When D-Lo seems to be dominating, a quick distraction from Carlito or even a cheap shot turns the tide in Eddie's favor, allowing him to work away on D-Lo. However eventually D-Lo gets tired of Carlito's consistent involvement and decides to grab Carlito by the hair and throw him into the ring, before taking him down with a clothesline. However this proves to be D-Lo's downfall as he is taking down with a stern neckbreaker by the younger brother; Eddie. Carlito slithers out of the ring, allowing his brother to work away on D-Lo before climbing to the top turnbuckle and nailing a Cannonball Twister, before hooking the leg and and getting the influenctial three count.
Winner: Eddie Colón w/ Carlito via Pinfall
We head backstage to the General Manager's office, Vince McMahon is sitting at his desk smiling. He greets us to the show before telling us why he's brought us here. He says that the reshuffle of the RAW and Smackdown! brands was just the first step - And then says that we'll be seeing alot of new faces around here!
--Commercial Break--
Matt Hardy vs. Paul Burchill w/ William Regal
Burchill has the numbers advantage, and uses it to his advantage, as his partner, William Regal constantly helps his protégé by cheap shotting Matt Hardy, and distracting the referee long enough for Burchill to do some damage on Hardy, using illegal manuevers. However even with the constant interference and attacks, Matt Hardy manages to pull through, reversing a clothesline attempt from Burchill into the Side Effect, where he awaits Burchill to get back up before nailing him with the Twist of Fate! He covers for the three count.
Winner: Matt Hardy via Pinfall
Immediately after the bell is rung, William Regal slides into the ring and cheap shots Matt Hardy - knocking him to the mat. He mounts on Hardy and delivers rights and lefts as Burchill gets back up and helps, stomping on Hardy. Eventually though, Matt's brother: Jeff Hardy runs down the ramp and enters the ring, making the two Englishmen scurry away as Jeff checks on his brother, staring at Burchill and Regal who are smirking.
Backstage we see Elijah Burke barge into the office of RAW General Manager, and CEO of the WWE, Vincent Kennedy McMahon. Vince looks at him shocked that he would just barge into his office, Elijah tells Vince to just hear him out for a second. Vince nods - signaling for Elijah to continue. Elijah tells Vince that tonight he would of won the Intercontinental Championship if The Miz hadn't of knocked him out of the ring with the title belt. He pleads with Vince to allow him to have a rematch with MVP at Unforgiven for the Intercontinental Championship...Vince says it'll be done.
--Commercial Break--
We come back to see RAW Backstage Interviewer: Todd Grisham standing by, he tells us he is standing with his guests at this time, the World Tag Team Champions, Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes. Todd states that there are alot of new tag teams on RAW right now, he asks if Cody or Ted feel threatened by this. Ted speaks up first, he says that indeed there is alot of tag teams now, he says thats good because they can defend their titles against more teams and prove that they really are 'Simply Priceless'. Ted and Cody smirk before heading off for there match, which is next.
Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes vs. Cryme Tyme
*World Tag Team Championships are NOT on the line*
From the beginning Cryme Tyme are in control, as Shad immediately gets on the attack as the bell rings, dismantling Cody Rhodes, with a few stiff suplex's and boots to the face. Cryme Tyme continue dominating, even after Ted Dibiase is tagged in, as Shad tags in his partner, JTG, who is raring to go. Clearing house. The Tag Champs do eventually gain some momentum, reverting to cheating tactics, obviously feeling threatened, as they rake the eyes of JTG and do a double suplex. The crowd are really into this match, as alot of the time Cryme Tyme do seem like they are gonna win the match, but eventually the cheating tactics of the Tag Team Champions play dividends as Ted Dibiase uses a roll up on JTG, and grabs the ropes for leverage, stealing the win.
Winners: Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes via Pinfall
Shad immediately enters the ring, seeming pissed off, obviously wanting abit of the Tag Team Champions, but the Tag Champs immediately get the hell out of dodge as they slide out of the ring, as the referee runs up to them handing them their Tag Team Championships, as they hold them up high smirking - knowing they were oh so close to losing here tonight.
Backstage we are with the lovely Kelly Kelly as she interviews the 'Fighting Irishman' Finlay. Kelly states that tonight Finlay will take on Vladimir Kozlov - who is yet to be defeated. She asks Finlay how does he feel heading into that match tonight. He says his name is Finlay and he loves to fight, and he's going to go out and do just that, AND win.
--Commercial Break--
Finlay vs. Vladimir Kozlov
Immediately from the start both men lock up and try to out power one another, but when both fail to do so, they resort to hard hittin' tactics, as the pair begin a test of strength - of their fists. Vladimir manages to 'win it' as he pushes Finlay against the ropes, and cheap shots the Irishman with a sucker punch knocking him down.
Eventually though, both men can't keep the fight inside the ring, as Finlay takes Vladimir - and himself to the outside with a clothesline over the top rope. Both men begin brawling on the
outside now. As Finlay seems to take a slight advantage, knowing that the referee is at a count of 4. Vladimir however, doesn't realize this.
He runs towards Finlay looking to possibly spear him down onto the announce table...BUT..FINLAY REVERSES IT INTO A BACK BODY DROP ONTO THE TABLE!!! He then hurries to get into the ring - but FAILS AS THE REFEREE COUNTS TO 10!
Winner: No Contest - Double Countout
--Commercial Break
Main Event: Three Man Tag Team Match; John Cena, Batista and Rey Mysterio vs. Edge, Kane and John Morrison
Batista and Kane start out for their teams as Batista manages to take down Kane with a few stiff shots. He runs immediately to Edge on the apron looking to take him down - obviously still pissed with him, with their past history. But, Edge ducks the attempt, as Batista swirls around - STRAIGHT INTO A BOOT TO THE FACE BY KANE!
The heels dominate the few minutes before the faces manage to get abit of an advantage, when John Cena is tagged in against Edge, and manages to hit all his signature manuevers - EXCEPT for the F-U, as Edge scurries out of it, and hits a Edge 'o' Matic.
In the end though, only one team could win, Batista and Kane were brawling on the outside. Cena and Edge eventually spill to the outside too, after a clothesline from Cena taking them both over the top rope. This leaves Rey Mysterio and John Morrison in the ring, as Morrison looks to cheap shot Mysterio with a clothesline - BUT MYSTERIO DUCKS, DROPKICKS MORRISON - WHO FALLS INTO THE ROPES - IN PERFECT POSITION FOR THE 619! MYSTERIO REALIZES THIS, HITTING THE 619 - FOLLOWED BY A SPLASH FROM THE ROPE, AND A COVER FOR THE WIN!!
Winners AND heading to Unforgiven's Main Event: John Cena, Batista & Rey Mysterio
Batista and Cena slide back into the ring as they embrace with Rey Mysterio, eventually however the situation gets awkward as all men begin an intense stare-down, knowing that at Unforgiven, only one of them can become World Heavyweight Champion.
END OF SHOW
***
Current Card For Unforgiven
September 7th, 2008
Cleveland, Ohio
World Heavyweight Championship Match; Triple Threat
John Cena vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio
***World Heavyweight Championship is VACANT***
Intercontinental Championship Match
MVP (c) vs. Elijah Burke
****
As you can tell, the matches nearer the end were shorter, because I wanted to get the show up. SmackDown, will probably be even shorter with school coming up, but it's not that important as its PPV's that matter most.
